Eviction in Prince George’s County: A Landlord’s Guide to Selling Without the Stress

If you are a landlord in Prince George’s County dealing with a non-paying tenant, a squatter, or a lease violation, you know the frustration firsthand. Whether your property is in Bowie, Upper Marlboro, or Hyattsville, a bad tenant can turn a profitable investment into a financial nightmare.

In Prince George’s County, the eviction process is handled by the District Court of Maryland and enforced by the Office of the Sheriff. Unlike Virginia, Maryland has very specific “tenant-friendly” laws, including the “Right of Redemption” (Pay to Stay) and strict licensing requirements that trip up many landlords.

This guide is designed to help landlords in Laurel, Fort Washington, and Clinton understand the specific Maryland eviction timeline and how to sell your rental property with the tenant in place to stop the bleeding immediately.

The Prince George’s County Eviction Timeline (The “Hard Way”)

Evictions in Maryland are governed by Real Property Article § 8-401. In Prince George’s County, you must follow these steps precisely to legally remove a tenant.

Step 1: The 10-Day Notice of Intent You can no longer file for eviction the day rent is late. You must first send a written “Notice of Intent to File a Complaint for Summary Ejectment”.

  • The Rule: You must give the tenant 10 days after receiving this notice to pay the rent before you can file in court.
  • Delivery: It must be sent via first-class mail (with a certificate of mailing) AND posted on the door.

2026 Pro Tip – The Rental License Trap: In Prince George’s County, you cannot file for eviction if you do not have a current, valid Rental License. If you file without one, the judge will dismiss your case immediately, and you may be liable for the tenant’s legal fees.

Step 2: Filing the “Failure to Pay Rent” (FTP) If the tenant hasn’t paid after the 10-day notice, you file Form DC-CV-082 (Failure to Pay Rent) at the District Court in Upper Marlboro or Hyattsville.

  • The Cost: The filing fee is approximately $50.00 plus $5.00 per tenant for service.
  • Hearing Date: The court will schedule a “Rent Court” hearing, typically 1-2 weeks later.

Step 3: The “Rent Court” Hearing You (or your agent) must appear in court. If the judge rules in your favor, you get a “Judgment for Possession.”

  • 4-Day Appeal: After the judgment, the tenant has 4 days to appeal.

Step 4: The Warrant of Restitution Winning the judgment does not evict the tenant. If they refuse to leave, you must file a Petition for Warrant of Restitution (Form DC-CV-081) to order the Sheriff to evict them.

  • Deadline: You cannot file this until 4 days after the judgment.
  • The Cost: Filing fee is $40.00.

Step 5: The Sheriff’s Eviction The Sheriff will schedule the eviction date. In Prince George’s County, this is a major production.

  • Movers Required: Unlike Virginia, you must hire a moving crew (typically 10-20 people depending on the house size) to remove all furniture and place it on the curb. You cannot do this yourself.
  • Right of Redemption: Up until the moment the Sheriff arrives, the tenant can “Pay to Stay” by paying the full judgment amount (cash or certified funds). They can use this right once every 12 months.

The Hidden Costs of Eviction

Evicting a tenant in Prince George’s County is expensive.

  • Lost Rent: The process (10-Day Notice + Court Wait + Warrant + Sheriff Scheduling) often takes 3-5 months. In areas like National Harbor or Bowie, that is $8,000 – $15,000+ in lost income.
  • Mandatory Movers: Hiring a 15-person eviction crew in PG County can cost $600 – $1,500+ per eviction.
  • Legal Fees: If the tenant contests the case or claims “uninhabitable conditions,” your legal fees can skyrocket.

Your Options: Evict or Sell?

Option 1: Finish the Eviction (Keep the Stress) You continue paying the mortgage and taxes while receiving zero rent. You navigate the “Rent Court” system in Upper Marlboro and hope the tenant doesn’t pay at the last second to stop the eviction.

Option 2: Sell With the Tenant In Place (Walk Away) You can sell the property today, regardless of the tenant situation.

We Buy Prince George’s County Rental Properties.

  • We Buy the Lease: We inherit the “bad” tenant. You don’t need to evict them.
  • We Buy As-Is: If the tenant trashed the unit, we don’t care. We buy it in current condition.
  • Cash Closing: We can close in as little as 10-14 days, putting cash in your pocket and ending your landlord liability instantly.

Important Contact Information

  • District Court of Maryland for Prince George’s County
    • Address: 14735 Main Street, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 (or Hyattsville Location).
    • Phone: (301) 298-4000.
    • Website: mdcourts.gov/district
  • Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff (Landlord & Tenant)

Stop The Bleeding. Sell Your Rental Today.

If you are tired of chasing rent, dealing with squatters, or navigating the PG County District Court, we can help. Fill out the form below for a fair cash offer on your rental property.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Areas We Serve in Prince George’s County

We provide solutions for landlords across the county, including but not limited to:

More Resources for Landlords

Disclaimer: Consistent Homebuyers is a real estate investment firm, not a law firm or financial institution. We do not provide legal or tax advice. We recommend all clients consult with their own legal counsel regarding estate matters.